Image: Dries Van Noten by Acielle / StyleDuMonde
We might be settling in for colder days, but the runways across New York and London are filling up with models setting the trends for Spring/Summer 2026.
As New York Fashion Week closes shop and hands the baton to London, let’s take a look at the beauty trends set to define the year ahead.
Chrome nails
Spotted at NYFW on the LAPOINTE runway, these reflective metallics turn fingertips into miniature statement pieces – and the internet is obsessed.
Monthly searches for ‘silver chrome nail polish’ are up 88 per cent year-on-year and 23 per cent in the last three months, while ‘chrome nails’ pulled in 22,000 searches this month alone.
“Chrome nails are the perfect example of a beauty trend that can easily transition from the runway into everyday life,” says Brandnation’s Deputy Managing Director, Eva Ringwood. “They’re small but bold, playful and futuristic. All things that 2026 is set to embrace.”
Pops of bright colours
Minimalist skin meets maximalist pigment in 2026. At NYFW, L’Enchanteur swept shimmery orange accents across eyelids, cheekbones and cupid’s bows, and flashes of purple and fuchsia punctuated glowing complexions.
Over at Anna Sui, makeup legend Pat McGrath turned eyelids into canvases with ethereal gradient-blue ‘mermaid’ eyeshadow.
On Instagram, the makeup artist said: “The look fused windswept romance with painterly sky-blue lashes, glowing twilight eyes and unapologetic makeup maximalism.”
“Butter yellow dominated social feeds this year, but in 2026, we’ll see bolder, more confident colours take its place like tangerine orange,” Eva says. “I’m expecting to see influencers matching their makeup with the newest iPhone colour.”
Deep side partings
The deep side parting is back, and it was everywhere at NYFW.
Worn loose and flowing at Altuzarra…
Slick and sharp at Kate Burton…
Or polished-but-undone at Tory Burch, the look is ultra-versatile: clean enough for the office, soft enough for off-duty.
“You’ll notice across all of these looks that the models’ hair looks healthy and nourished,” says Eva.
“Having been behind the scenes myself, I’ve found restorative hair oils are hairdressers’ best-kept secret. They lock in moisture and give that shiny, runway-ready finish. Quality, affordable options from HASK make it simple to recreate these styles at home.”
Stained lips
Wonderskin’s viral lip tints, boosted by TikTok and Love Island moments, have driven a 174 per cent year-on-year jump in brand searches, with lip stains more broadly up 83 per cent.
On the runway, romantic pink-peach stains prevailed at Cynthia Rowley, while Off-White opted for ‘90s brown hues with a warm, balmy finish – the perfect summer 2026 lip trend.
Bold, graphic eyeliner
Heavy eyeliner is poised to have its moment in 2026.
Alexander Wang showed thick, architectural wings billed as “femininity with sharp edges”.
While Christian Cowan contrasted pink silk dresses with eyeliner-licked smoky eyes.
“This is a progression of the grunge revival we’ve been seeing,” Eva adds. “I expect to see it paired with classically feminine fashion – pinks, silks, lace.”
Thin brows
The brow pendulum is swinging back.
While thick, bold arches have dominated for years, ‘barely-there’ brows are quietly making a comeback.
At NYFW, Diotima and Wiederhoeft showcased delicate, understated arches that frame the face without overwhelming it.
“This leans into the Y2K revival we’ve been seeing, reimagined for 2026,” says Eva. “It’s soft and minimalist, perfect for balancing bolder lips or eyes.”
What to expect for beauty trends in 2026
“Beauty trends in 2026 are set to be pared back with playful details, like a stained lip or graphic eye,” Eva says.
“This mirrors wider shifts in beauty and wellness, where the focus is on more natural looks that celebrate human ‘imperfections’ in the age of AI,”
“Anti-ageing is being reframed as longevity – globally, we’re seeing a rise in longevity clinics, celebrities opting to dissolve fillers, and consumers seeking non-invasive treatments like LED,” Eva adds.
Searches for LED masks are up 83 per cent this year, and industry leaders like Silk’n are expanding beyond LED face masks into LED lip and neck treatments.
Spring/Summer 2026 beauty will centre on a fresh, glowing complexion with a twist, whether it’s chrome nails, painterly eyeshadow or whisper-thin brows.
About the author
Natalie Clement | Digital
Marketing Executive
With international experience as a digital marketer, writer, and editor, Natalie has worked across sectors including lifestyle, technology, and tourism.
